Curfew In Sambalpur To Be Relaxed For 4 Hours Tomorrow, Says Odisha DGP

Sambalpur: The curfew, clamped in Odisha’s Sambalpur city in the wake of violence and arson in connection with Hanuman Jayanti celebration, would be relaxed for four hours on Sunday, said DGP Sunil Kumar Bansal.

Speaking to media persons after holding a review meeting with senior police officers on the prevalent condition on Saturday, the DGP said in view of ASO and UPSC examinations, the curfew would be relaxed for 2 hours each in the morning and evening.

“We are holding discussion with the district administration so that candidates for ASO examination do not suffer. We may extend curfew relaxation time during the beginning and end of the examination for communication of the aspirants,” Bansal said.

The preliminary examination for the recruitment to ASO posts in Orissa High Court is scheduled for Sunday. The  candidates for the UPSC examinations have been allowed by the district administration to go their test centres by showing admit cards. The administration has also issued a new helpline number 06632403644 for the purpose.

Earlier, the DGP reached Jamadarpali airstrip in the city from Bhubaneswar in a chopper at around 4 pm and headed towards the office of Inspector General of Police (Northern Range) Deepak Kumar. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Radha Kishan Sharma and Additional DGP (Intelligence) Sanjeev Panda accompanied Bansal.

“I reviewed the situation with the IG and Sambalpur SP. The local administration has taken immediate action to maintain law and order after the Friday incident. The curfew will be enforced strictly across the city except during relaxation period. Additional forces have been mobilised to maintain law and order,” Bansal said.

“Stringent action will be taken against the people involved in violence. We hope that normalcy will be restored in a day or two,” he added.